Redsnail,
Degree's in Scotland are paid for by the government so they don't cost anything.
Aero Eng is a hard course and I wish you the best of luck with it, I've got 5 friends who have only recently graduated one of them is going to the RAF, another one is joining the army, one is a teacher and the other one is becoming a police officer.
I would say that you should try and get your PPL done, but don't rush it you have ages to get it done. I would also look at organisations such as the University Air Squadron, Army Offitce Training Corp, University Royal Naval Units, Police Special Constables, St Andrews Volunteer services, the TA etc. these organisation will look sh*t hot on your CV!
I went to University, got my degree, worked part time, had a car and got my PPL done so it is possible with some hard work.
You should look at getting a trial flight done as well.